What made them so cool and exciting (and different from say, a stuffed animal), was that you were getting feedback from the “pet,” and could respond accordingly. However, my friend said that she didn’t like the thought of virtual pets because she didn’t think they taught kids the right things about pet care and responsibility, that because there were no real consequences kids wouldn’t give a second thought to tossing the toy, and eventually a real pet, away when they were tired with it.

With this Christmas’s toy of choice being something similar – a furry, mechanical hamster that can run through tubes (am I the only one tired of hearing about Zhu Zhu Pets?) – I remembered my friend’s take on the toys, and it’s got me thinking about it again.

As a parent now, I can see her point, but I’ve also seen first hand that my kids do know the difference between their real pets that require feeding, grooming and care, as opposed to the virtual pet toys they’ve had (including the aforementioned Tamagotchi).

What do you think? Do you think these virtual toy pets make it too easy for kids to think real pets are just as disposable?

[image: amazon]

Post from: Blisstree

Do Virtual Pets Breed Irresponsibility?

I admit it, I love the idea of buying things for my pets for the holidays but I don’t actually do it!

By the time I’ve bought for family and friends my poor head is drained and as cute as it would be to have the cats and dogs “unwrap” something with us on Christmas morning, it just doesn’t happen (I don’t think they mind too much anyway — isn’t that what the wrapping paper is for?).

This year I decided to put together a fun guide full of ideas for pets and their people. From treats and toys to books and calendars, you’ll be sure to find something for everyone — two-legged and four-legged! — without a whole lot of effort!

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Buy Holiday Gifts For Your Pets?

While Chai was playing with the ball his tongue got stuck in the hole, and since there wasn’t a second hole to prevent it a vacuum was created that ended up causing irreparable damage to Chai’s tongue.

Chai’s family have a weblog (warning: some mildly graphic pictures) chronicling the ordeal and how Chai’s tongue ended up having to be removed. Chai has to relearn how to eat and drink.

They’re calling for an international boycott of all Four Paws products until the ball is recalled.

[image: product image]

Post from: Blisstree

Toy Ball Causes Severe Damage to Chai the Dog

Does your dog have a favorite toy? Maybe one that’s had to be replaced on the sly several times?

Chip and Honey each have their own little doggy dolls that they like to cuddle with or go fetch, but they’ve never had much interest in regular dog toys. I’d like for them to want bones and rawhides or Kongs but they don’t (but at least they’re not chewing on anything else!).

Post from: Blisstree

Feedback Saturday: What’s Your Dog’s Favorite Toy?

Dopey the hamster must have a bored owner – he got his very own motorized Lego elevator in his cage!

It’s hard not to go “aww!” each time he falls when reaching for his house, but he he seems to really get into it and finally makes it! (That being said, criticisms and comments can be left at the Youtube page – I didn’t make it!)

Post from: Blisstree

Dopey’s Lego Elevator

You can get soda, food, and even movies through vending machines now, why not pet supplies?

Check out these pet supply vending machines made by Hey Buddy! They can be loaded up with balls, toys, Frisbees, flea collars, pick-up bags, leashes, vitamin-water, and treats.

They’re franchised out now, and you can see where a few have already been placed.

Have you seen any of these around?

[image: product photo, hey buddy!]

Post from: Blisstree

Pet Supply Vending Machines

I’m on auto-pilot from here on out to get ready for a vacation! We’ve got a friend taking the dogs (couldn’t bear the thought of them being boarded, and this friend loves them so it works out!), the cats will have a neighbor checking in on them to make sure they’re not killing each other and check their food supplies (we leave them extra bowls and dishes of water and food, and extra litter boxes when we go), and the same neighbor is taking Simon the betta fish too.

We also got the cats some extra toys to keep them busy while we’re gone – a Turbo Scratcher (see video above) and a bunch of little catnip toys to bat around. We’ve left them for long periods of time before (always with someone looking in on them) and they always cop an attitude when we get home – pretending to ignore us as if their feelings are hurt and we’ve done them wrong. They get over it as soon as we whip out the catnip, though!

Post from: Blisstree

The Food Bowl Goes on Auto Feed

I’ll admit it: I’ve dressed my dogs. Not fru-fru dresses or shirts and ties, but little knitted sweaters or wearable fleece blankets I’ve whipped together from scraps. They’re both short hairs and while we don’t get snow it does get cold here, so they seem to appreciate the extra warmth. If they go out front or walk with me to pick the kids up from school, though, they go bare!

Over the years I’ve kept a folder of bookmarks with patterns and ideas. Making such small things are a good shot of instant gratification and (I like to tell myself) the dogs are staying warm. The picture above was taken about a week after we acquired Honey. She didn’t mind the sweater too much but I didn’t make it long enough over her back. I used the pattern at redlipstick.net which I’ve used several times before and since (not just for my dogs!) and have found to be the easiest to follow.

Dog Patterns:
~ Custom dog sweater generator
~ Pattern books
~ Custom fit dog sweater
~ Pup sweater
~ Fleece dog sweater
~ Chihuahua sweater
~ Button-up dog sweater
~ Puppy blanket
~ Tug toy
~ Jingle bell dog collar

Cat Patterns:
~ Feline dim sum (catnip toy)
~ Poppy cat sweater
~ Bumble cat toy
~ Cushy kitten blanket
~ Cat muumuu (I would never dare!)
~ Catnip mice
~ Cozy cat crescent
~ Long-sleeve turtleneck cat sweater
~ Felted kitty bed
~ Fortune cat doll

Misc:
~ Bunny Santa hat
~ Pampered pet pillow
~ Simplicity sewing patterns
~ Baby goat sweater

(Make sure you check out Hankering For Yarn for more fantastic knitting ideas!)

Post from: Blisstree

Patterns for Pets

I came across this new design for dog crates not too long ago and wasn’t sure how I felt about it. They’ve grown on me a big but wouldn’t be practical for us with our two dogs. We use the crates that double as carriers and fit nicely side-by-side, so something like this would take up too much room.

I can appreciate what the creator was going for, though! The eCrate is only available in a few Brooklyn, New York pet shops (the website says nycpet.com carries them but I couldn’t find them).

Also check out the TRiTO dog toy:

Post from: Blisstree

Next Generation Dog Crates

~ Pink Pet Accessories:

• Pink hoody
• Pink Flowers fancy pet collar
• Pink camouflage dog jacket
• Pink Aluminum Pet Tag
• Pink dog bandanna
• Hooded tweed dog jacket
• Chocolate and Pink collars
• Chocolate and Pink bed
• Pink metallic collar and leash
• Pink pretty dog polo shirt

~ Pink Pet Homes:

• Super Pet CritterTrail
• Pink chalkboard aquarium stand
  (and pink aquarium rocks and gemstones)
• Pink dollhouse style aquarium stand
• Pink bird cage
• Pink and white dog house
• Pink Palace Hamster Cage
• Pink cage litter
• Pink cat cave
• Pink betta kit
• Pink pet tent

~ Pink Pet Transportation:

• Pink pet stroller
• Pink pet carrier
• Pink bike pet carrier
• Pink pet coupe
• Pet carrier with pink paw
• Pink pet sling
• Pink plush carrier
• Pink and white pet pouch
• Paw Princess pet carrier
• Pink kennel cab

~ Pink Pet Food & Treat Accessories:

• Pink Paw Food Bowl
• Pink braided dish mat
• Pink bone dog bowl
• Pink polka dot cat dish
• Pink dog travel food kit
• Limited Edition Pink Drinkwell Pet Fountain and Reservoir
• Pink cat treat cannister
• Pink traveling feedbag
• Pink cat dish
• Pink bone bowls

~ Misc Pink Pets:

• Pink cat baby slippers
• Pink waste bag dispenser
• Pink pet beds
• Unlock pink animals in The Sims 2
• Pink elephant dog toy
• Pink flower bed
• Pink pet costumes
• Pink fuzzy foldable bed
• Pink siamese cat lamp
• Pink overnight bag

…..

Also check out:
~ Chocolate Bytes: Pet Chocolate for Breast Cancer Awareness
~ Declutter It: 10 Ideas for your Pink Party
~ Baking Delights: Baking for Breast Cancer Awareness
~ Keeping the Castle: The Pink Room
~ Offbeat Homes: Ten Breast Self-Exam Reminders
~ Simply Thrifty: In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 10 Pink Money Saving Gadgets

Post from: Blisstree

Pink Pets for Breast Cancer Awareness